An effort in f a c i l i t a t i o n

True Wisdom: The Source of abundant favours

By Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqui

[Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth extol Allah, the King, the Superb Holy, the Ever-Mighty, the Ever-Wise. He is the One Who has sent forth among the illiterate a Messenger from among them, to recite His signs to them, and to cleanse them, and to teach them the Book and the Wisdom, though they were earlier indeed in evident error. And (He has sent him to) others of them who have not yet joined them; and He is the Ever-Mighty, the Ever-Wise. That is the Grace of Allah; He grants it to whomever He decides; and Allah is the Owner of the Ever-Magnificent Grace.] (Al-Jumu`ah 62:1-4)

[He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and he to whom wisdom is given has truly received abundant good. But none remembers except people of understanding.] (Al-Baqarah 2:269)

Al-Hikmah is a very important word in the Qur’an. It means wisdom and sagacity. It is the true wisdom that matters, not the worldly and materialistic wisdom that makes people forget Allah. True wisdom stems from faith in and fear of Allah. It means right knowledge and right action, and it entails putting things in their right perspective, understanding the situation and circumstances, and taking action at a right time in a right way.Al-Hikmah is a great gift from Allah, and those who have this gift are truly endowed with abundant good and a great boon.

One of the names of Allah is Al-Hakim (the All-Wise); it is mentioned in the Qur’an more than one hundred times. Very often, this attribute of Almighty Allah is combined with His attribute the All-Powerful. Also, it is mentioned along with other divine attributes such as the All-Knowing, All-Aware, All-Embracing, and the Acceptor of Repentance. Allah’s revelation is referred to in the Qur’an as Al-Hikmah. In His ever-glorious book, Almighty Allah mentions the wisdom of Prophet Yusuf (Yusuf 12:22), Prophet Dawud (Al-Baqarah 2:251) and Prophet `Isa (Aal `Imran 3:48). And although Luqman was not a prophet, it is related in the Qur’an (Luqman 31:12) that he was granted great wisdom.

Allah, Glorified be He, sent His Last and Final Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to teach the Book and Wisdom. His followers are supposed to be the people who use wisdom in every aspect of their lives and in all relations. `Abdullah ibn `Abbas, a great scholar of the Qur’an and fiqh, narrated: Once the Prophet pressed me to his chest and said,“O Allah, teach him wisdom.”(Al-Bukhari)

Ibn Hajar, the great scholar of Hadith, said:

Various explanations of Al-Hikmah are given by scholars here: It is understanding the words of Allah; that which is right according to human reason; or enlightenment by which a person can make distinction between inspiration from Almighty Allah or suggestions from Satan. Furthermore, some hold the view that wisdom refers to correct and quick answer. Others have given other meanings. Ibn `Abbas was the most knowledgeable of the Companions in tafsir (Arabic for: interpretation of the Qur’an).

Wisdom is needed for both: knowledge and action. Knowing the reality as it is and understanding the truth in all matters is the wisdom in knowledge. And taking the proper and appropriate action, on the other hand, is the wisdom in action. Indeed, true wisdom is to be strong when strength is required and soft when softness is needed; it is the recognition and fulfillment of duties and obligations.

Principles of Wisdom

1. Worshipping Allah alone.
2. Being respectful and kind to parents.
3. Being good to relatives, the poor, and the travelers.
4. Being careful not to waste one’s own money and resources.
5. Taking good care of children.
6. Avoiding adultery or fornication.
7. Respecting every soul, for, unless in the pursuit of justice, killing anyone is a major sin.
8. Taking care of orphans and weak people.
9. Fulfilling promises and commitments.
10. Honesty in business dealings. Not cheating when weighing or measuring.
11. Avoiding engaging in anything except with knowledge, not following the hearsay and not acting on half-knowledge.
12. Being humble and keeping far away from arrogance.